Roger Clemens subpoenas House committee over testimony on performance-enhancing drugs

By
Spencer S. Hsu

Pitcher Roger Clemens has subpoened a House committee to whom prosecutors allege he lied about using performance-enhancing drugs.

Lawyers for the seven-time Cy Young award-winner have asked the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for "all interview summaries, notes and memoranda" related to a commission created by Major League Baseball chaired by former senator George J. Mitchell (D-Maine).

Clemens also asked for any communications regarding its investigation between the committee and 20 individuals, including players such as Andy Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch and Jose Canseco, and Clemens's ex-trainer and chief accuser, Brian McNamee.

Kurt Bardella, spokesman for the committee's current chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), confirmed receipt of the subpoena, dated Thursday and first reported by the Associated Press.

Bardella did not say whether the panel would provide the documents. In e-mailed statement, he said, "The committee intends to consult with the House General Counsel's office and will meet its obligations in this matter."

The Mitchell commission report issued in Dec. 2007 cited McNamee's accusation that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone. The trainer later provided physical evidence to the Justice Department.

Clemens has maintained his truthfulness and pleaded not guilty. A jury trial is scheduled for July before U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton of the District.

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